When you're experiencing spells of sadness interspersed with elation, it's natural to wonder if you might have bipolar disorder. In fact, though, only about 2.6 percent of American adults suffer from the disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. A good way to begin considering whether you or a loved one has bipolar disorder is to become aware of the symptoms that are outlined the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV).
Episodes of Depression
People with bipolar disorder experience episodes of major depression that can last for weeks. Symptoms include a low mood, decreased movement and an inability to concentrate, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). During a depressive episode, the person may also experience decreased interest in activities that he once found pleasurable, such as exercising, attending movies, or having sex. The individual often feels fatigued and has a lowered sense of self-worth. Thoughts of death might crop up frequently, whether it be death of oneself or vivid imaginings of the deaths of others. There may be changes in eating habits, with the person either eating much more than usual or much less. Weight change may occur as a result. Finally, sleep patterns are often altered during a depressive episode; some people experience insomnia while others sleep for most of the day and night.
Episodes of Mania or Hypomania
The other key feature of bipolar disorder is episodes of mania or hypomania. Hypomania has similar features to mania, except it is less severe and causes less impairment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of mania include a high sense of self-esteem, the need for much less sleep than usual, easy distractibility and a poor sense of judgment. The person who is experiencing a manic episode may also talked faster and in greater quantity than usual, which is usually reflective of the racing thoughts surging through her mind. Her actions tend to be impulsive and reckless as she pursues what the NAMI calls "grandiose plans." A manic episode typically lasts about a week, although it may be shorter in young adolescents who have bipolar disorder.
Combined Episodes
The DSM-IV notes that the types of episodes may combine in various ways to create different types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I is the most severe form of the disorder in which people suffer from full manic episodes and full major depressive episodes, according to the Mayo Clinic. The individual with bipolar II experiences major depressive episodes that alternate with hypomanic episodes, but full mania is never reached. People with bipolar II can function better than people with Bipolar I can. Finally, cyclothymic disorder occurs when a person has periods of depressive symptoms and hypomanic symptoms, but never reaches the full extremes of major depression or mania. It is the most mild type of bipolar disorder, the Mayo Clinic says.
